A Gender and Development (GAD) Forum was also held, led by Noralen M. Nieva from the MSWD Office. The discussion focused on women’s rights and Republic Act 9262 or Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act.
“Napakahalaga para sa mga kababaihan [na malaman ang RA 9262] dahil sa Mamburao, may mga cases ng VAWC. Mahalaga na malaman nila ito para maproteksyonan nila ang kanilang mga sarili at malaman nila kung ano ang kanilang gagawin,” Nieva shared.
(It is important for women to know about RA 9262 because there are cases of VAWC in Mamburao. It is important for them to know so they will be able to protect themselves and know what they need to do.)
Financial literacy education, in partnership with the International Marketing Group, was also tackled in the forum. Claire Carvajal of DSWD MIMAROPA shared that one of the purposes of the financial literacy education is to capacitate the beneficiaries in financial management as they are all entrepreneurs.
In addition, a livelihood assistance payout was also conducted. Each beneficiary received Php 5,000, totalling Php 285,000, financial aid from the Local Government Unit (LGU). Carvajal explained that the beneficiaries who received the aid were assessed by the DSWD regional and municipal office and were qualified to receive assistance.
“[Itong pay-out ay para matulungan ‘yung] mga [nagsusumikap] na mga SLP beneficiary namin na mabigyan ng karagdagang puhunan [para sa kanilang hanapbuhay],” she said.
(This pay-out is to help those striving SLP beneficiaries to receive additional capital for their livelihood.)
The activity also recognized the top three (3) most inspiring stories of beneficiaries through the Natatanging Ina competition, wherein winners were given monetary awards. (DSG/PIA MIMAROPA)
